Salazar, Giménez, Smith, Huizenga, Wasserman Schultz Reintroduce Bipartisan PANA Act to Return Billions Stolen by the Maduro Regime to the Venezuelan People

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, U.S. Representatives María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Carlos Giménez (FL-28), Christopher Smith (NJ-04), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) reintroduced the Preserving Accountability for National Assets (PANA) Act (H.R. 9039), bipartisan legislation to ensure billions in assets linked to Maduro regime corruption are ultimately used to support Venezuela's democratic recovery and institutional rebuilding.

The legislation comes as billions linked to corruption, money laundering, narcotrafficking, and sanctions violations by Maduro regime operatives remain frozen, seized, or forfeited through U.S. enforcement actions. At a pivotal moment for the country's future, the PANA Act would help ensure those resources are used to strengthen democratic institutions, support civil society, and advance a lasting transition grounded in freedom and the rule of law.

"For too long, Maduro and his cronies treated Venezuela like their personal bank account while dismantling the institutions that sustain a free society," said Chairwoman Salazar. "The PANA Act sends a clear message: what was stolen from the Venezuelan people belongs to the Venezuelan people. These assets should help rebuild the institutions the regime destroyed, strengthen the rule of law, and support the brave men and women working every day to restore freedom and democracy."

"The Chávez-Maduro regime stole billions from the Venezuelan people while driving their country into poverty, repression, and exile, said Rep. Giménez. "The PANA Act helps ensure those stolen assets are used to support democracy, defend human rights, and help build a free and prosperous future for Venezuela. Dictators and corrupt regime officials must never profit from their crimes. These resources belong to the Venezuelan people and should be used to help restore the nation they love and deserve."

"Venezuela is at a crossroads and the Venezuelan people now more than ever need the support to rebuild after years of hardship and corruption," said Rep. Huizenga. "I'm proud to support this commonsense measure to release $4 billion in frozen funds from the Maduro and Chavez regimes to restore freedom, rebuild democratic institutions, and promote human rights in Venezuela.

"Restoration of democracy and human rights is the ultimate objective in Venezuela," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "The best way to achieve that is to use U.S.-held assets stolen by Venezuela's corrupt regime to support ordinary Venezuelans who want free elections, dignity and opportunity. I'm proud to help empower Venezuelans to choose their own future."

A democratic and economically stable Venezuela would not only benefit the Venezuelan people, but also create new opportunities for American businesses, strengthen trade and investment across the hemisphere, and support economic growth on both sides of the Caribbean.

What the PANA Act Does:

• Establishes the Venezuela Restoration Fund to receive assets seized and forfeited from individuals and entities tied to the Maduro regime and corruption-related offenses.

• Supports democratic governance, election integrity, civil society organizations, and rule of law initiatives.

• Assists organizations documenting crimes against humanity and human rights abuses committed by the Maduro regime.

• Utilizes nearly $4 billion in existing frozen and forfeited assets without the use of U.S. taxpayer funds.

A democratic and economically stable Venezuela would not only benefit the Venezuelan people, but also create new opportunities for American businesses, expand trade and investment across the hemisphere, and support economic growth in both the United States and Latin America.

Rep. Salazar has been one of Congress' leading voices advocating for democracy, accountability, and freedom in the Western Hemisphere. As Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, she has consistently led efforts to support democratic opposition leaders, strengthen sanctions enforcement, and hold Maduro regime officials accountable for corruption, repression, and human rights abuses.

She also proudly represents one of the largest Venezuelan-American communities in the United States, including thousands of families in South Florida with deep ties to Venezuela and a profound interest in the restoration of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

The legislation was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Read the text of H.R. 9039 here